2025 CADILLAC CT-5 V-SERIES BLACKWING

MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS DECLINING  BUT CADILLAC IS A SURPRISING SOURCE FOR ONE

It’s not exactly ground-breaking news, but vehicles with manual transmissions have been fading from the markrt for several year now. Figures turned up on internet searches reveal that around 1 percent of the cars sold in the U.S. now are stick shifts.

It was surprising then in about a one-month span recently three of the four cars dropped off in my driveway for test drives came with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Two — the BMW M3 and Subaru WRX tS — were no surprise and in fact expected. The Cadillac that followed them, however, was a surprise.

Yes, imagine that. A Caddy with a clutch. The 2025 Cadillac CT5 V-Series Blackwing comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard and shifts so smooth it may have you making it your choice of transmission over the available 10-speed automatic.

And it’s hooked up to a V8 engine that packs a powerful punch.

The 2025 Cadillac CT5 V-Series Blackwing sports a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine rated at 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque that scoots it from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, according to the website zeroto60times.com. It is rear-wheel drive.

No surprise here, but mileage figures are not that impressive. All that power uses up premium fuel at the rate of 13 miles per gallon in the city, 20 on the highway, and 15 combined resulting in a driving range of 255 miles, according to the government. That’s less range than that many EVs are delivering today.

 

This is a true sports sedan and, in fact, a luxury sports sedan in all aspects. The exterior features a redesigned grille and front fascia featuring LED headlights, and the rear sports quad dual exhaust tips that sing a seductive tune on acceleration.

Inside, Cadillac has packed the C2025 CT5 V-Series Blackwing with a long list of tech features that can be selected via a dial on the console or punched in via the touchscreen that is part of the 33-inch display that stretches across the front of the cabin.

Front seats are heated and ventilated and feature a massage function. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google built-in infotainment are among standard features.

The Blackwing trim the 2025 Cadillac CT5 V-Series is by far the most expensive model in the portfolio. It starts at $95,595 and that doesn’t include the $1,385 for delivery. That’s a jump of about $40,000 from the basic 2025 CT5 V-Series 4-door sedan.

My test 2025 Cadillac CT5 V-Series Blackwing included options that started with carbon ceramic brakes for $9,000, jet black accents and full semi-aniline leather seats featuring custom quilting and carbon fiber front seat backs for $8,90. A Carbon Fiber 1 package (front spiller, front wheel well deflectors, and rear extra aero spoiler) adds $5,600, and a performance data record tacks on $1,600.

Remember those thirsty fuel consumption figures I mentioned earlier? It shouldn’t come as a surprise they earn the 2025 Cadillac CT5 V-Series Blackwin a Gas Guzzler charge of $2,100, running the final total to $124,005.

What I liked about the 2025 Cadillac CT5 V-Series Blackwing: The manual transmission is very accommodating. Performance lives up to its sports sedan billing. The interior is nicely done, and the exterior is very striking. This is what Cadillac should be all about. The dual exhaust has a very nice sound, Tech features are plentiful and easy enough to operate.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Cadillace V-Series Blackwing: The trunk is on the small side offering less than 12 cubic feet of space. It is very much on the pricey side.

Would I buy the 2025 Caidllac V-Series Blackwing? You don’t have a whole lot of choices when it comes to  luxury vehicles with such sporty driving characteristics. With the final assembly point in Lansing, Michigan, you don’t have to be concerned with potential tariff charges.